Political resistance to large data-center projects has not yet materially slowed U.S. expansion, according to Goldman Sachs, which increased its estimate for U.S. data-center capacity at the end of 2026 by 5 gigawatts to 64 GW. The bank simultaneously lowered its 2027 projection by 5 GW to 90 GW, indicating that permitting fights, electricity constraints and local opposition could push some projects farther out without reversing the buildout. The numbers reinforce the scale of AI infrastructure demand while shifting attention toward the communities supplying the land, electricity and water required to support it. Local objections may not stop the boom, but they are increasingly affecting when and where capacity can be added.
Source: Reuters